Why do young adults confuse middle age for old age ?

[Massimo2002]

I don't get it ? It should be simple to understand that middle age exists and that it is not old age but young adults are so incredibly ignorant of middle age that to them they think that it is the same thing as old age when it is not. Or maybe they aren't ignorant and just simply want to erase the concept of middle age altogether ? Someone help me understand this.

 

[JustGeorge]

I don't get it ? It should be simple to understand that middle age exists and that it is not old age but young adults are so incredibly ignorant of middle age that to them they think that it is the same thing as old age when it is not. Or maybe they aren't ignorant and just simply want to erase the concept of middle age altogether ? Someone help me understand this.

I don't think its just the younger folks; I feel like many people brush the idea of middle age away.

I get told sometimes how I'm still in my youth. I'm 39. If I were to get pregnant, I'd be high risk because they'd consider me a geriatric pregnancy. I'm not old yet, but I'm not a kid. I have a child that will become an adult this year.

I suspect the discomfort with middle age comes with the general discomfort of aging. Many see it as bad. We(general we) stick our heads in the sand as our minds and bodies age... "not old, not old, not old" we tell ourselves... until we can't deny it anymore, and by that time, we finally embrace it.

Youth is the time for energy and beauty, old age is wisdom and peace... what do we glorify about middle age? Not much.

 

[Twilight Hue]

I don't get it ? It should be simple to understand that middle age exists and that it is not old age but young adults are so incredibly ignorant of middle age that to them they think that it is the same thing as old age when it is not. Or maybe they aren't ignorant and just simply want to erase the concept of middle age altogether ? Someone help me understand this.

I remember in the past thinking I was old at 30.

Now that I'll be on the precipice of 60, it's not hard to tell the difference now.

Strangely and probably paradoxically , I think I'm not that old mostly because I'm in utter denial! *grin*

 

[Massimo2002]

I don't think its just the younger folks; I feel like many people brush the idea of middle age away.

I get told sometimes how I'm still in my youth. I'm 39. If I were to get pregnant, I'd be high risk because they'd consider me a geriatric pregnancy. I'm not old yet, but I'm not a kid. I have a child that will become an adult this year.

I suspect the discomfort with middle age comes with the general discomfort of aging. Many see it as bad. We(general we) stick our heads in the sand as our minds and bodies age... "not old, not old, not old" we tell ourselves... until we can't deny it anymore, and by that time, we finally embrace it.

Youth is the time for energy and beauty, old age is wisdom and peace... what do we glorify about middle age? Not much.

So are you saying that being middle aged is bad or are you saying that many people view middle age as a bad thing ?

 

[JustGeorge]

So are you saying that being middle aged is bad or are you saying that many people view middle age as a bad thing ?

I just don't think people see it as an option. You're either old, or young(in most people's mind). People don't want to admit to being middle aged until they're approaching old age.

For some reason, many seem unable to relate to the idea of something in between.

 

[Spice]

Middle age isn't really in the middle. That's what confuses the young. If the life expectancy is 72, then middle-age would be 36. But 36 is where middle-age begins. That's about where the physical body starts it's down hill journey. Think of professional athletes having to retire.

Old-age doesn't begin until the mental-capacity begins its decline. Stress can speed that along dramatically, sooooo
DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT!

LOL, LOL
Old-age is fun once you get used to it, and besides, not everyone is lucky enough to get there.

 

[Massimo2002]

I just don't think people see it as an option. You're either old, or young(in most people's mind). People don't want to admit to being middle aged until they're approaching old age.

For some reason, many seem unable to relate to the idea of something in between.

That's a real shame that people are scared of middle age and therefore don't want it to exist.

 

[JustGeorge]

That's a real shame that people are scared of middle age and therefore don't want it to exist.

I don't even know if its so much as fear of the middle part... fear of the 'old' part causes folks to ignore middle age, imo.

Honestly, I've enjoyed middle age much more than youth.

 

[ChristineM]

I don't get it ? It should be simple to understand that middle age exists and that it is not old age but young adults are so incredibly ignorant of middle age that to them they think that it is the same thing as old age when it is not. Or maybe they aren't ignorant and just simply want to erase the concept of middle age altogether ? Someone help me understand this.

Problem is, once someone hits 35 (ish) they are past it.

 

[Revoltingest]

I don't get it ? It should be simple to understand that middle age exists and that it is not old age but young adults are so incredibly ignorant of middle age that to them they think that it is the same thing as old age when it is not. Or maybe they aren't ignorant and just simply want to erase the concept of middle age altogether ? Someone help me understand this.

To the young, middle age & old age are so
far off that they're effectively the same.

It's like being on top of a skyscraper.
Looking down, an uncle resembles an ant.

 

[JustGeorge]

Problem is, once someone hits 35 (ish) they are past it.

I ain't old yet. I am quite firmly middle aged.

But I'll be fine with it when I am.

 

[ChristineM]

I ain't old yet. I am quite firmly middle aged.

But I'll be fine with it when I am.

It suits me being past it.

This past it, middle aged old lady was treated to coffee and a pain aux raisin pastry by her son this morning who she accidentally met between his classes ;-)

 

[Laniakea]

Old, young, middle....it's all relative.
Mick Jagger is 80 and dances around on stage like a teenager.
Most teenagers these days sit around like old people staring at their smartphone.

 

[JustGeorge]

It suits me being past it.

This past it, middle aged old lady was treated to coffee and a pain aux raisin pastry by her son this morning who she accidentally met between his classes ;-)

That's wonderful!

I was thinking earlier how only in middle age can you have one child about to enter adulthood, and another about to enter kindergarten...

 

[ChristineM]

That's wonderful!

I was thinking earlier how only in middle age can you have one child about to enter adulthood, and another about to enter kindergarten...

Not starting a family until middle age is pretty odd too

 

[JustGeorge]

Not starting a family until middle age is pretty odd too

It certainly wasn't for awhile, but it seems to be done more now.

 

[ChristineM]

It certainly wasn't for awhile, but it seems to be done more now.

Perhaps i started a trend ;-)

 

[Massimo2002]

Middle age isn't really in the middle. That's what confuses the young. If the life expectancy is 72, then middle-age would be 36. But 36 is where middle-age begins. That's about where the physical body starts it's down hill journey. Think of professional athletes having to retire. Old-age doesn't begin until the mental-capacity begins its decline. Stress can speed that along dramatically, sooooo DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT! LOL, LOL Old-age is fun once you get used to it, and besides, not everyone is lucky enough to get there.

people in there 30s are still young adults and not middle aged you are wrong about that and most people in there 30s don't decline that is also a load of ignorant nonsense most people in there 30s are still physically active and mentally sharp.

 

[JustGeorge]

people in there 30s are still young adults and not middle aged you are wrong about that and most people in there 30s don't decline that is also a load of ignorant nonsense most people in there 30s are still physically active and mentally sharp.

What bracket do you think is middle aged? What about old age?

 

[Massimo2002]

Old, young, middle....it's all relative.
Mick Jagger is 80 and dances around on stage like a teenager.
Most teenagers these days sit around like old people staring at their smartphone.

Wrong for the most part age stages aren't subjective.